Sacrifices
The morning after the death eater meeting Regulus woke up early (even though he never really went to sleep in the first place). Regulus got dressed quickly and made breakfast as it was his turn to cook. He made some french toast and bacon as the other members of the household slowly trickled downstairs. James walked into the kitchen with a concerned look on his face. “You were up early this morning.” James said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “I just felt like getting a jump on breakfast.” Regulus said, pretending that he wasn’t upset. “Is something wrong, love? You seem a bit shaken up.” James asked, placing his hand on Regulus’ shoulder. It killed Regulus to lie to James but he knew that if he told him James would only worry more. “It’s nothing, sweety. Why don’t you go sit down, breakfast is almost ready?” Regulus said sweetly. James still didn’t believe him but he knew that he wasn’t going to get any more information out of Regulus so he kissed Regulus quickly and took his seat at the table.
“I think I'll pay Remus a visit at Hogwarts today.” Regulus said to James after they finished cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. “Why, you’ve never visited him before?” James asked. “No reason, I just want to visit him.” Regulus said. “Reggie, What’s wrong? Why are you lying to me? We both know you’re not going to ‘visit Moony’ and you’ve been shaken up since you got home last night. You know you can tell me anything.” James said, placing his hand on Regulus’ shoulder with a comforting smile. James had always looked exactly like his father all his life, but there was no doubt in Regulus’ mind that James had his mother’s smile (and her charm). He had her innate ability to melt away all of your problems with just one smile, but still his smile couldn’t make Regulus tell him the whole truth, because while James had his mother’s charm Regulus had his mother’s stubbornness.
“Amour, I wish I could tell you, but it would only put you in more danger. Dumbledore said that everything important about the meetings was to stay between the two of us to prevent word getting back to the death eaters.” Regulus explained, placing his hand on top of James’. James sighed heavily and gave Regulus a soft kiss on his forehead before finally letting Regulus leave. As Regulus stepped into the chimney he couldn’t help but wonder if he was doing the right thing, he wasn’t sure if lying to James like that was protecting him or simply adding more pain to an already painful situation, nevertheless Regulus took a deep breath in before throwing the flu powder in his hand and leaving for Hogwarts.
Regulus walked out of the chimney in Dumbledore’s office and wiped a bit of soot off of his shoulder. Dumbledore looked up from his paperwork with a look of surprise and dread. “Regulus, forgive me I wasn’t aware that you would be paying me a visit today. I haven’t yet gotten a chance to read your letter.” Dumbledore said. Dumbledore’s formal language unsettled him. “I didn’t send one. The information I have to report is far too sensitive to be discussed anywhere other than face to face.” Regulus said grimly. “Well then, why don’t you have a seat.” Dumbledore said, gesturing to the chair across from him. “No thank you, I prefer to stand.” Regulus said with a serious look on his face. Regulus took a deep breath before beginning to speak again. “There is a spy within the order.” Regulus said before Dumbledore cut him off abruptly. “Regulus, I know that there have been rumors within the order but I assure you they hold no weight.” Dumbledore said dismissively, looking back at his paperwork. “This is not some childish rumor, Albus. There IS a spy within the order and now I know their identity.” Regulus said, anger coursing through his veins. Regulus was beginning to grow tired of Albus treating him like a child. “Surely you can’t be serious about this.” Dumbledore said dismissively. “No, Sirius is my brother.” Regulus remarked snarkily, “It’s Peter Pettigrew. He has betrayed us” Regulus said suddenly.
“Ok.” Dumbledore said with a small smile before looking back down at the papers sitting in front of him “Ok?! What do you mean ok?! Peter has betrayed us all and become a spy for them and all you have to say is; ok!... Unless… You knew, didn’t you? You knew this whole time that he was spying on us and you just let it happen!” Regulus shouted, slamming his hands on Dumbledore’s desk. Dumbledore did not look up from his papers. “This does not concern you, Mr. Black.” Dumbledore said, and all of a sudden Regulus felt like he was back in school again. His blood began to boil as he felt each of Dumbledore’s condescending and dismissive words dig into his skin.
“This doesn’t concern me?! Peter is… Peter WAS my friend, he’s been to my home, he’s met my child, of course this concerns me! This is not just a matter of war tactics, this is about my family's safety!” Regulus shouted, each of his words seething with rage. “We all must make sacrifices Regulus,” Dumbledore said, looking up at Regulus as if he was somehow better than the man standing before him, “Besides, it’s not like they are really your ‘family’”
“What did you just say to me?” Regulus asked with a look of shock and hurt on his face. Dumbledore sighed heavily. “Nothing, now if you’d please leave I need to get back to this paperwork.” Dumbledore said in an attempt to cover up his snide comment with a friendly smile. “No. You don’t get to tell me that they aren’t my family. I took Harry in and raised him as my own and I love James more than life itself.” Regulus took a deep breath to calm himself before continuing, “you have until November to turn Peter in or I will do it myself.”
“And what do you think the ministry will say when you tell them that he is a death eater when you yourself have the dark mark on your arm.” Dumbledore said snarkily. “Well, While I would like to avoid it, I am willing to go to Azkaban to keep my family safe, something I know you would know nothing about as you seem to be fully content with serving the people you raised as your children up to the dark lord on a silver platter.” Regulus said before walking back to the chimney and leaving Dumbledore's office.
-Later that night, while Regulus is tucking Harry in-
Once Regulus placed Harry in his crib, he lingered in the room a little longer than usual. He looked down at the young boy who he had taken in as his own child despite him being young and still in school when Harry was born and in that moment while staring down at his sleeping son he realized that every sacrifice he could take would be worth it as long as he remained safe.